Machine for turning lock-seams on sheet-metal conductors



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheetl.

P. B. ALEXANDER. MACHINE FOR TURNING LOCK SBAMS 0N SHEET METALGONDUGTORS.

No. 594,222. Patented Nov 23,1897.

' IN VEN TOR, Fuzz J BAZexamZa;

- (No Model.)

- 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. B. ALEXANDER. -MAGHINE FOR TURNING LOCK SEAMS 0N SHEET METALOONDUGTORS.

No. 594,222. Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

INVENTOR, T/zZZifi .BAZBXQTMZU? A Home (No Model.) 4Sheets'Sheet 3.

P. B. ALEXANDER. MACHINE FOR TURNING LOCK SEAMS 0N SHEET METALGONDUGTORS.

No. 594,222 Patented Nov. 2311897.

WITNESSES INVENTOR, g 6 IZfiLZi/ flAZe mnder I A tl'amey 4 Sheets-Sheet4.

(No Model.)

P. B.ALBXANDER. V MACHINE FOR TURNING LOCK SEAMS 0N SHEET METALCONDUGTORS.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897.

WITNESSES [NVENTOR Map Z3.AZeXancZer Atlamey 4 UN TE TATES MACHINE FORTURNING LOCK-SEAMS 0N SHEET-METAL CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,222, dated November23, 1897'. Application filed January 2'7, 1897. Serial No. 620,971. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP BROWNELL ALEXANDER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments inMachines for Turning Lock-Seams on Sheet-Metal Conductors; and'I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to'a novel construction in a machine forturning a lock-seam upon sheet-metal conductors or tubes, the objectbeing to provide a machine of this character in connection with whichconductors either circular or angular in cross-section can be formed ofcomparatively thick sheet metal with a lock-seam and in comparativelylong sections in an expeditious and practical manner.

The invention consists in the features of construction hereinafter fullydescribed and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a top plan of a machine constructed in accordance with thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken from the side whereattheioperating-gear is situated. Fig. 3 is a central verticallongitudinal section of the upper portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is afront end elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a crosssection in detail,showing the shape of the pipe as it is fed to the machine. Figs. 5,6, 7,and 8 are vertical transverse sections illustrating the rolls forturning the lock-seam and showing the conductor and mandrel in place andtaken, respectively, upon the lines 55,66,77,and 88 of Fig.1. Fig.9 is avertical section showing the three sets of rollers and the conductorfastened between the same. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the roller 17and a portion of the conductor and taken on an enlarged scale. Fig; 11is a similar view of the roller 18. Fig. 12 is aview show ing thepresser-roller and a portion of the conductor and taken on the samescale. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view demonstrating the feed rollersandconductor as it passes between the same.

This machine is adapted to turn and fold the lock-seam, as beforestated, upon sheetmetal conductors. The piece of sheet metal from whichthe conductor is made is suitably bent in any bending-machine ofapproved construction into the shape in cross-section as shown in Fig.4, wherein the body portion 1 of the conductor is circular and isprovided at its edges with an outer radial lip 2, having atangentially-arranged flange 3. The other edge of the sheet-metal pieceis provided with a radial inner lip 4. The bending-machine bends thepiece of sheet metal practicallyto the shape shown in Fig. 4, althoughbefore it is placed in the machine the edges of this piece of sheetmetal stand farther apart and are brought to the position shown in saidfigure by the guide-rollers between which the bent sheet metal firstpasses. This machine is intended to turn the lips 2 and4 and the flange3 into the position shown in Fig. 8that is to say, it bends the flange 3around the inner lip 4 and turns the lips and the flange flat upon theouter face of the conductor. This is accomplished by the sets of rollsand their adjuncts, hereinafter to be fully described.

Referring now to said drawings, 5 indicates the frame of the machine,which is provided at one side with a stationary upright plate 6 and withan oppositely-extending bed 7, upon which is mounted a sliding plate 8,arranged to slide thereon and to be adjusted in different positions inrelation to the stationary plate by any approved means, as is obvious.The turning-rolls are mounted in bearings upon these plates and aresuitably rotated by convenient gearing, which in the instanceillustrated consists of a power-shaft 9, mounted in bearings upon theside portion of the frame and provided with a balance-wheel 10, pulleys11, and clutch 12. Rigidly mounted upon this shaft 9 is a gear-pinion13, that'intermeshes with the gear-wheel 14, mounted upon the stationaryplate 6 of the machine and rigid with a shaft 15, fastened to said endplate 6, and provided with a gear-pinion 16, situated beyond the innerface of said stationary plate. The said gear-pinion 16 imparts therotary movement to all the operative parts of the machine, as will bespecifically pointed out hereinafter. In this way it is seen that thepower-shaft 9, controlled by the clutch 12, is the source of power forrunningthe machine.

It is understood, of course, that a machine of this description is soconstructed that the turning-rolls are interchangeable, whereby thelocking-seam upon pipes varying in diameter can be turned. For thispurpose the guide rollers and turningrolls are interchangeable, whilethe presser-roller is adjustable. The turning-rolls are arranged inthree sets or pairs-namely, the upper rolls 17, 18, and 19 and the rolls17, 18, and 1.9. These rolls are numbered in the orderin which theyreceive the conductor upon which they operate, and the lower rolls ofthe three sets are the same in shape-that is to say, they have acircular concave face to receive the portion of the conductor oppositethe seam thereof. The upper rolls17, 18, and 19 vary in shape and willbe specifically described hereinafter.

theplates G and 8, while the left end of, each roll is provided with agear-wheel: 21. The gear-wheels of the two rolls in each intermesh witheach other, so that their adjacent faces move inzthe same direction topass the'conductor therethrough,.while the gear-wheels of the lowerrolls 18 and 19 intermesh with the gear-pinion l6,while an idler 22 issituated betweeirthe lower rolls 17 and 18 and intermeshwith thegear-wheels thereof, so that by the intermediacy of the gear-pinion 16and the.

ated between the bearings 23 and 24: inreach. of these upright guides 25and serves to hold.

thebearings apart. The position of the bearings 23 and 2st of the upperrolls is controlled.

by means of set-screws 27 in the manner shown. It is understood; ofcourse, that the manner in which these hearings for the rolls arearranged and constructed does not form a part of this invention and is awell-known construction. The trunnions 20 at. the left end ofthe rollsare preferably provided with beads 28, while the trunnions at theopposite end are plain, as shown. These trunnions are made-onthe ends ofthe spindle 29, that is provided with a longitudinal guide 30, and therollsare arranged to be slipped-upon and over thisspindle 29,asis,obvious,.so that whenthe rolls-are :to be changed it is onlynecessary to Inovetheplate 8 toward the outer end of the bedto withdrawthe-trunnions from the bear-- in gs-upon this movable plate, change therolls,

and their replace the trunnions within the bearings. Bymeans of theset-screw 27it is seen that. the upper rolls can be adjusted,

while it isobvious that the axis of the lower rolls is always at thesame point.

llhe guide-rollers are indicated by 31: and

All of these rolls are provided. with trunnions 20, that turn inbearings upon The trunnionsof' the said have vertical axes, and arerotatably mounted at the ends of levers 32, that are pivoted uponprojections 33 at the ends ofthe plates 6 and 8. The inner ends of theselevers 32 are bifurcated and the rollers are held between the bifurcatedends by means of a removable pin 34:, whereby the rolls areinterchangeable.

The outer ends of the levers 32, carrying these rollers,.extend close tothe outer face of the plates 6 and 8, and are provided with setsorews 35for controlling the position of the guide-rollers with relation to eachother and to the center of the rolls and the seam of the conductor.

It will be understood that the conductor in passing through the machineis so situated that the flange when turned upon the inner lip is on theside adj acentlto the movable plate 8,.and between the first and secondset of rolls there is a presser-roller that is adapted to hold the lipsand flangein the position in which they are turned by the first rollerwhile the second roller is turning these parts towardthe outer face ofthe conductor. This presser-roller 36 is carried by a bracket 37,.havingan upright slide 38,. provided with an upright slot 39. This uprightslide 38 is situated within an upright guide-groove 40 in the inner faceof the movable plate 8,.and is held in position by means of a set-screw41, passing through the slot.39 and fastened to the plate 8, and to adjustin g-screws passing throughfrom the outside of plate 8 at theinneredge of the upright slide 38. In this way it will be seen that theslide carrying the presscr-roller 36 can be moved vertically, While bymeans of the setscrew and adjacent screws its relation to theturning-grooves of the rolls 17 and 18 is regulated.

The above description relates to theconstructionand organization of theparts for operating the.machine,.and I will now proceed to describe theconstruction of the rolls and rollers by means of whichthe seam isturned.

As before stated, the piece of sheet metal uponwhich the lock-seam is tobe made is first bent into the shape shown inFig. 4, with the outerradial lip 2, the tan gentialfiange 3, and the inner radial lip l. Inthis position it is fedto the guide-rollers 31. ers are concaved, asshown, and conform to the curvature of the conductor to be made.Theupper end of these guide-rollers is providedwith an overhangingflange 42, while the lower end of the roller 31 extends below the axialcenter. of the pipe,lwhereby the conductor is held between these rollersThe overhanging upper flanges 42 serve to press the inner and outer lipstogether,.as shown in:

said Fig. 4, in which position the conductor is fed to thefirst set ofrolls 17 andl7. The guide-rollers 31, as before stated, are interchangeable to conform to the diameter of the conductor to be acted upon.In. view of the fact that the=axial center of the conductor in passingbetween the turning-rolls is always the same it is obvious that theguide-rollers These guide-roll must be so arranged that their lower endsal ways extend below the axis of the conductor. For this purpose, asshown in dotted lines in said Figs. 4 and 13, when the conductor to betreated is of less diameter the guide-rollers are provided withupwardly-extending bosses 43, whereby they fit between the bifurcatedends of the lever 32. -It is understood, of course, that the shapes ofthe rolls and the guide-rollers herein shown are only such that are usedin connection with circular conductors, it being obvious that in asquare, hexagonal, or any other form the contour of these rolls mustconform therewith.

The upper or face rolls 17, 1S, and 19 for turning the lock-seam willnow be described. lhese rolls are shown with a circular groove toconform to the circular conductor; but it is to be understood that whilethey are to conform to the shape of the conductor, yet they can be usedfurther without coming in contact with as much surface of the conductoras herein shownthat is to say, instead of coming in contact withpractically the upper half of the conductor these face-rolls can beeither short or just long enough to contain the seam-turning grooves nowto be described. Therefore, except in the claims for the specificconstruction, it is understood that I do not limit this invention tothese and other details of construction referred to. Y

It is seen upon reference to the drawings that the conductor is fed tothe first set of rolls with the lips and flange in the position thereinshown, while this face-roll1'7 bends the parts to the position shown inFig. 5that is to say, the lips 2 and 4 are brought close together andthe flange 3 is turned down and pressed close against the outer face ofthe inner lip 4. The roller for accomplishing this operation is shown insaid Figs. 5 and 10 and is provided at a point in alinement radiallywith the conductor with a groove 44. The depth of this groove isapproximately the width of the lock-seam, and it is provided with astraight wall 45, situated on the side from which the seam is to beturned and an inclined wall 46, situated on the side toward which theseam is turned. These Walls are joined by a slight curve, while thejuncture between the inclined wall and the outer face of the roller iscurved in the manner shown. As will be seen in reference to Fig. 5, thisgroove turns the flange downwardly upon the inner lip 4, while the outerlip 2 comes in contact with the straight Wall 45 of the groove and thecurved portion 47 between the inclined wall 46 and the outer face of theroll bends the flange downwardly. In this position the conductor passesto the second set of rolls 18 and 18. The face-roll 18 bends the threesuperposed portions of the stock-namely, the lips and the flange-to theposition shown in Figs. 7 and 11, and it is obvious that in bending theparts in this manner there is a tendency to twist the conductor. This isobviated by means of the presser-roller 36. This presser-roller 36, asdescribed, is fastened to the movable plate 8 of the machine or upon theside of the conductor toward which the seam is turned. Thepresser-roller 36 is a small steel wheel having a slanting edge andwhich is adjusted by means of the device referred to, so that this edgeruns along in contact with the side of the portions of the stock formingin the seam and is situated as close as practical to the roll 17, sothat any tendency on the part of this roller to twist the pipe owing tothe torsional strain in turning down the stock is carried by thispresser-roller. It is seen, of course, that this roller can be adjustedvertically or laterally by means of the devices referred to to bring itsedge in the desired position. This is shown in Fig. 6, and in Figs. 7and 11 is illustrated the shape of the second face-roll 18. This roll isprovided with a groove 48, having an inclined rear wall 49,

which extends on both sides of the center of the conductor, while thedistance between the center of the conductor and the wall toward whichthe seam is turned is practically the width of the finished seam, asillustrated in Fig. 11, wherein it is seen that there is a little spacebetween the short side of the groove and the adjacent edge of the seam,while the opposite edge of the seam is against the opposite or deepwall. The deep wall 50 joins the inclined wall 49 by curved portion 51,While the other end of the inclined wall meets the outer face of theroll by a slightly-curved portion 52. The deep wall 50 of this groove 48meets the outer wall of the roll practically at right angles and forms asharp corner. The edge of this sharp or abrupt corner and the deep wallof the groove serve as a guide for the conductor, for while the seam isbeing turned over by this roll the outer edge thereof bears against thisdeep Wall at its juncture with the wall 49, so that this contact furtherprevents the pipe from twisting, as is its tendency. The seam is then inthe position shown in Figs. 7 and 11. Then passing to the thirdface-roll 19 it is turned down flat, as shown in Fig. 8. This third roll19 is provided with a plain face, or, as shown in the drawings, ispractically semicircular, it being noted, of course, that in a hexagonalor square conductor the face of this roll would be straight.

It is understood, of course, that in turning down the lock-seam of thiskind a mandrel 53 is employed, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and8, said mandrel being omitted from the other figures for convenience ofillustration. This mandrel 53 is held in position by a cable 54, havinga cross-head 55, that is hooked in the slotted upper end of the post 56in the usual manner.

The advantages of a machine of this description are of course apparentto a person skilled in the art to which it appertains, and among themarked advantages can be mentioned the fact that it practically andaccurately turns a lock-seam of the kind shown upon comparatively longsections of conductors of comparatively heavy sheet metal, and,furthermore, it will effectually complete this operation with galvanizediron. As far as I am informed this machine is capable of turning thelock-seam of sheet-metal conductors of greater lengths and of heaviermetal than can now be accomplished.

It is understood, of course, that as far as the structure of the frameand other parts of the machine, except the face-rollers, is concernedother structures can be designed that will accomplish the ends attainedby this machine, and therefore, except in the claims for thisconstruction, I do not wish the invention to be limited to thestructural features referred to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the first of said sets of rolls be ingadapted to receive a conductor having a circular body portion with oneedge provided with an inner radial lip and the other edge provided withan outer radial lip and a tangential flange and consisting of asupportingroll and a face-roll provided with a groove, the depth of saidgroove being equal to the width of the seam to be turned, and the saidgroove being provided with straight and inclined walls.

2. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the first of said sets of rolls beingadapted to receive a conductor having a circular body portion wit-h oneedge provided with an inner radial lip and the other edge provided withan outer radial lip and a tangential flange and consisting of asupportingroll and a face-roll provided with a groove, having a straightwall situated upon the side thereof from which the seam is to be turnedand an inclined wall situated upon the side toward which the seam isturned.

3. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the first of said sets of rolls beingadapted to receive a conductor having a circular body portion with oneedge provided with an inner radial lip and the other edge provided withan outer radial lip and a tangential flange and consisting of asupportingroll and a face-roll provided with a groove having a straightwall situated upon the side thereof from which the seam is to be turnedand an inclined wall situated upon the side toward which the seam isturned, said inclined wall meeting the outer face of the roll by acurved portion.

4:. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the second of said sets of rollsconsisting of a supporting-roll and a face-roll having a groove providedwith a straight inclined rear wall and a deep wall on the side thereoftoward which the seam is turned, said inclined rear and deep walls beingconnected by a curved portion.

5. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the second of said sets of rollsconsisting of a supporting-roll and a face-roll having a groove, saidgroove being wider than the seam to be turned and having a straightinclined rear wall and a deep wall upon the side thereof toward whichthe seam is to be turned, said deep wall connecting with the rear wallby a curved portion and with the outer face of the roll by a sharpcorner.

6. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls forforming and turning a lock-seam, the first of said sets of rolls beingadapted to receive a conductor having a circular body portion with oneedge provided with an inner radial lip and the other edge provided withan outer radial lip and a tangential flange and consisting of asupportingroll and a face-roll having a deep and narrow groove, thesecond of said sets of rolls consisting of a supporting-roll and aface-roll having a shallow and wide groove, and the third set of saidrolls consisting of a supporting-roll and a plain face-roll.

7. In a machine of the kind specified, a plu-v rality of sets of rollsfor bending or turning down the stock forming the seam, and a singlepresser-roller situated between the first and second sets of rolls andadapted to come in contact with the overlapping flange on one side ofthe partially-bent lock-seam, and against the side toward which the seamis turned.

8. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets of rolls,each of said sets of rolls consisting of a supporting-roll and aface-roll mounted in sliding bearings, springs for lifting saidbearings, and set-screws for moving said bearings in an oppositedirection.

9. In a machine of the kind specified, a pl urality of sets of rolls,each of said sets of rolls consisting of a supporting-roll, and anadjustable face-roll, and a presser-roller adj ustably secured to theframe of the machine and situated between the first and second sets ofrolls and adapted to come in contact with the overlapping flange on oneside of the partially-bent lock-seam, and against the side toward whichthe seam is turned.

10. In a machine of the kind specified, a stationary plate, a movableplate, and a plurality of sets of rolls carried by rotatable spindlesmounted in bearings upon said plates, said spindles being provided atone end with headed trunnions that are mounted in the bearings of thestationary plate, with straight trunnions mounted in the bearings of themovable plate, and with a longitudinal key to enter a groove upon theroller.

11. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets ofsupporting and'face rolls, and a vertically and laterally adjustablepresserroller mounted upon the frame of said machine and situatedbetween the first and sec-- ond sets of said rolls.

12. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets ofsupporting and face rolls, and a presser-roller mounted at the upper endportion of the upright slide that is situated within an upright guide inthe frame of the machine and between the first and second sets of saidrolls and provided with an adjusting and set screw.

13. In a machine of the kind specified, a plurality of sets ofsupporting and face rolls, and a presser-roller mounted at the upper endportion of the upright slide that is situated within an upright guide inthe frame of the machine and between the first and second sets of saidrolls, a slot in said upright guide, and a headed set-screw extendingthrough said slot and fastened to said frame and adjusting-screws uponsaid frame engaging said slide.

14. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with thesupporting and face rolls, of a pair of conical guide-rollers situat'edin front of the same, each of said guiderollers consisting of arotatable roller having a Wide overhanging upper end portion, and anarrow inwardly-extending lower end portion adapted to embracetheconductor passing therethrough at and below its center.

15. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with thesupporting and face rolls, of a pair of guide-rollers situated in frontof the same, said guide-rollers being mounted upon pivoted levers, andset-screws for adjusting said pivoted levers.

16. In a machine of the kind specified, the combination with thesupporting and face rolls, of a pair of guide-rollers mounted upon theinner ends, of levers pivoted to the frame of the machine, the outer endportions of said levers being situated close to the outside of saidframe and being provided with set-screws engaging the same.

17. In a machine of the kind specified, a frame provided with astationary side plate, a movable side plate, devices for moving saidside plate, a plurality of supporting and face rolls mounted betweensaid side plates, the rolls of each set being provided with intermeshinggearing, a gear-pinion intermeshing with the lower rolls of two of saidsets and with a source of power, and an idler intermeshing with thelower roll of the third set and one of said first-mentioned sets.

18. In a machine of the kind specified, a 1

pair of guide-rollers supported upon upright axes, a plurality of setsof rolls having horizontal axes and adapted to form and turn alock-seam, the first of said sets of rolls, consisting of asupporting-roll and a face-roll provided with a deep and narrow groovehavin g straight and inclined side walls, the depth of said groove beingequal to the width of the seam to be turned, the second of said sets ofrolls consisting of a supporting-roll and a face-roll having a shallowand Wide groove provided with an inclined rear wall, a deep wall on theside thereof toward which the seam is turned, said inclined rear anddeep walls being connected bya curved portion, the third set of saidrolls consisting of a supporting-roll and a plain face-roll, and apressureroller situated between the first and second sets of rolls andon the side. thereof toward which the seam is turned, saidpressure-roller being adapted to come in contact with the side of thepartially-turned lock-seam.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP BROWNELL ALEXANDER. l/Vitnesses RALPH W. ELLIS, CARRIE E. BACON.

